During the plenary session of the European Parliament (10-13/09/2018) in Strasbourg, Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, kicks off the debate in his fourth and last “State of the Union” speech. Statements by Daniel CASPARY (EPP, DE), Maria João RODRIGUES (S&D, PT), Janusz LEWANDOWSKI (EPP, PL), Yannick JADOT (Greens/EFA, FR), Nikolaos CHOUNTIS (GUE/NGL, EL) and Tanja FAJON (S&D, SI).

RODRIGUES, Maria João (S&D, PT)

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

LEWANDOWSKI, Janusz (EPP, PL)

JADOT, Yannick (Greens/EFA, FR)

CHOUNTIS, Nikolaos (GUE/NGL, EL)

FAJON, Tanja (S&D, SI)

CASPARY, Daniel (EPP, DE)

state of the Union 2018 (T)

State of the Union 2018: extracts from MEPs debate

SOUNDBITE (German), Daniel CASPARY (EPP, DE), We need to deal with tax breaks for companies such as Apple and Amazon, we need a stronger foreign policy, we want to protect our external borders and deal with migration, but if we were to tackle all of those issues then we find that Member States have not devolved competence for this and we therefore cannot deal with these issues

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Maria Jo&#227;o RODRIGUES (S&amp;D, PT), MEP 8th parliamentary term, It is indeed the case that the time for European sovereignty has arrived in response to climate change, digitalisation, and trade, there is a need to find a different way of governing migratory flows. Why are we not making progress with this agenda? The reason for that is that we face forces from the past who are arguing that is better to protect our citizens just behind national borders. That&rsquo;s completely illusory, because today it is not possible to protect your citizens solely on the basis of national policies. You need Europe-wide solutions.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Janusz LEWANDOWSKI (EPP, PL), We know what to do, not adopt the regulations which make people&rsquo;s lives more difficult. For some the Multiannual EU Budget is important, not for all because some prefer a slow European budget. But for most, I think, financial predictability is important. But whether people trust us or not, all this boils down to safety and security, this is important.

SOUNDBITE (French), Yannick JADOT (Greens/EFA, FR), You have not heard Mr. Juncker the desire of many Europeans to ban the use of glyphosate and to fight against climate change. Your trade policy, the globalisation that you favour through CETA, Mercosur and other agreements, the junk food, pesticides, animal welfare, deforestation, fossil fuels and climate change. Our responsibility is to listen to European citizens, is to rely on solar and wind power and not on Putin or Trump.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Nikolaos CHOUNTIS (GUE/NGL, EL), From the address of Mr. Juncker now we understand that the future of Europe will be an intensification of austerity measures and reforms, a further dissolution of social rights, unemployment, poverty which is a perfect ground for nationalism to prevail.

SOUNDBITE (Slovenian), Tanja FAJON (S&amp;D, SI), Populist leaders are spreading a fear of an imaginary group of people. The refugee crisis has been abused to cover up a crisis of the European institutions. The main mistake lies in the inadequate common asylum policy, which should be based on solidarity. Before the elections next year the EU is faced with a choice, either it will choose radical xenophobia or radical social changes. If it is to survive, those of us who believe in its achievements have to fight for the respect of European values. The other roads leads to closing in national states.